MOSS GROTTO goes to BALI

COLOURS of BALI............

3 more days to go...... and not counting!

 Next week we'll be enjoying the warm temps and sights of Bali.A place I've visited maybe too many times, but its easy to be drawn back.

Wonderful colours,smells and sunshine!

My eyes will be wide open and on duty hoping to get some colour inspiration.

The food markets are always a favourite to me, with their exotic Indonesian fruits,spices and colourful offerings!

Before I head off I wanted to post a few shots of our great new pieces in store.

Vintage silver mirror glassware

Porcelain peacock dish

Silk embroided cushions to brighten up your home in winter!

A gift from my niece Coco.I love this art piece.

For the die hard fans of Ikat print, these fabulous linen cushions are available in different colours

I'm addicted to glass!! I just can't help buying more.These new elegant glasses are available in 2 styles in small and large along with a gorgeous jug.

Every girl needs "ESSIE" nail varnish.Check out our new WINTER colours in store! 

QUEEN LIZZY

WELCOME HOME LIZZY!

I came across this gem last week which wasn't for sale!

The moment I saw it I fell in love and simply had to have her.I haven't stopped thinking about it.If I really love something, theres no getting it out of my head.

 I smiled heaps and literally begged the owner to call me if they ever decided to sell it.Well today I got a call and now I'm the new proud owner of QE!

My family think I'm completely nuts - but that's okay, they're used to me with my wacky purchases.

 Originally from Japan this old piece could tell a million stories! I love how it comes with water stain marks,soft muted colours that have faded over the years and the frame is wonderful too!

If I'm honest it was the "glitter" that got me.I can't resist a bit of sparkle! 

The brooch!

You can't see too well from these photos but the glitter on her crown,necklace and brooch is so pretty!

LAST days of JUNE..............

CHANDELIER MAGIC!!

 This stunning chandelier has to be on the top of my list for favourite purchases at Moss Grotto this month! Delicately made with white wooden balls, its a must have! I'll definitely  be ordering one for our new place when we build! (this is ornamental only.It cannot be used as a light)

James Pender artwork hangs in our window this month.Walk past and see how many differnt animals and objects you can see in his work.Its amazing!

NEW overhead lights in small and large.Made from white highly finished chrome with beautiful decorative silver work inside.Look up inside them.These lights are also available in black.

 (Ask at our counter to see the larger size.)

Ceramic iconic angel crucifix from Mexico

 NEW metal chairs have arrived in store.Butter yellow for the pastel season to come! We call it 'Industrial-chic'.

Pretty this Winter up with our NEW metal drinks trays as you entertain your friends with a day of 'Hight Tea'.

Rose prints too dainty to resist.Available in small and large

Keep blogging on to MOSS GROTTO for NEW items from designer Anna Chandler.

China in bright Ikat prints,doormats,lamps and more...................................

THE TIBETAN GIRL in WINTER at MOSS GROTTO

MY LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP with WINTER!

Winter is well and truly here on our doorstep with its icy temps and reports of snow dumps which always thrill the passionate snow gromit set, but I'm one of those people that wish I could embrace the guts of Winter for all that it is - but can't!

Yes,  I love the fashions of Winter with its lushness that it provides,I adore an open fire and I'll always cherish my time skiing the slopes in Europe,  but I'm the person who continually whinges for the entire season counting down the days on the calendar for Summer! 

My husband is the most positive person I've ever met .No matter how bad the forcast he has a way of putting a shine on it.You can almost feel the warmth in the winter air.As he celebrated 'winter solstice' day this week, he woke up with a big smile saying " We're over the hump Ali....it's nearly Summer" Yes....I really do love his enthusiasm!

And so with our recent grey days, I really wanted to bring some colour into our windows at MG this month.To give it warmth and in my mind a feeling that those fabulous warm days aren't too far off!

The Tibetan girl image was a tapestry I saw and just had to give it a go on canvas.It was a long process but I'm happy with the end result.Walk past and see her in the flesh, the colours are so much prettier!

Lamp shades made from fabric off cuts for the June/July window.

Reflection is always a pest.Will have to re-do this shot.

Lots of colour to brighten up our corner.Remindes me of 'I dream of Jeanie' 

NEW bags in store from Changmai

It had been an amazing Winters day in Melbourne on the Queens Birthday weekend, with sunny blue skies,too much shopping and warm scones and tea at my favourite haunt the 'Hopetoun Tea Rooms' to finish off the day.

I took this shot on Collins St about 5.30pm as I waited for the tram. I still managed to grab a hint of colour - no matter how cool the night air was!

Colour really is everywhere.

Maybe Winters not so bad after all.

Keep warm and enjoy!

Ali.O

Home Inspirations

BUILDING at HOME......

With the building development of our new home just round the corner I've decided to pull out some of my inspiration shots on my day off .House work can wait.

Its always good to refresh the memory and get your creative juices flowing again.

It's been a long project due to vcat issues etc....so the thought of it actually moving along is very exciting.

For those who know me, I have a huge love affair with white interiors so much so that my close female cousins had the cheek to ask me if I chose our current home first before the man! Yes....its all white!

Only family could get away with that!!

It only seems natural to start with a bare canvas.From there you can simply add the prettyness.

Designing the plan layout of our home was easy for me but choosing the finishes is always hard because I'm known for changing my mind.

My husband John isn't fussed....it just says "go for it Ali!" Saying that to a female with a love for interiors can be very dangerous!

The house will be quite modern in design on the exterior so its important that the internal finishes remain soft and homely.I'm not a fan minimalism. 

This fabulous kitchen shot was taken from a Moroccan home.The design of our kitchen is similar with a long window.This is one area in the home that I don't mind being minimal.

White panelling is always nice.It's beachy and will sit well the the exterior faded grey cedar.

Long soft curtains will bring the softness to our home that I'm wanting to achieve.

I loathe aluminium window frames.They remind me of a caravan.Not that I don't think caravans are cute, but I don't want to feel as though we live in one! No matter how hard the up keep is....it has to be wooden framed windows.I don't care if we have to paint them every year.

A beautiful mirror above the sink! I  love mirrors and have been collecting them since my 20's.

And finally this superb chandelier. I've just had one similar arrive in store at MOSS GROTTO in white! I've been in love with this for ages.Its  on the shopping list!

BANJARA Jewellery at MOSS GROTTO

BANJARA Jewellery.....the Kuchi collection

This fabulous line of jewellery is handmade by a new Australian designer in Melbourne.I stumbled across her and am so glad we met.

Here are just a few of the NEW pieces that have arrived in store....

The Kuchi collection

 is inspired by the colourful flowing dresses and elegant chime of coins in the breeze, heard as the beautiful gypsies journey through the desert.These coins have been transformed by the tribeswomen into intricately decorated charms and pendants, used to adorn their belts,bags and dresses.Despite the wonder of where these pieces originated, their greatest significance remains to be that someone,somewhere used whatever they had to try and make the world a little more beautiful.

Once again they have been given a new life and will continue to be lovingly worn. BANJARA

Gorgeous winter colours threads available in wine,mustard,black &chocolate 

Cuff bracelet with coin charms